Opportunity Overview
Open now to eligible Nebraska public and charter K-12 schools. KidsGardening and Hunter Industries are accepting applications for the 2027 Waterwise Garden Grant, supporting school gardens used to teach water conservation, water stewardship, and responsible water management. The Nebraska Department of Education School Nutrition Programs grants page currently directs schools to KidsGardening grant opportunities.
Funding
Fifty schools will receive $1,000 in cash funding plus an irrigation supply kit valued at $500. Ten selected programs may receive an additional $1,250 Waterwise Garden Equity Specialty Award, bringing their cash award to $2,250 plus the irrigation kit.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are public or charter elementary, middle, or high schools in the United States or U.S. territories serving at least 15 youth and planning to install a new youth garden or improve an existing one. Applicants must serve or work with under-resourced communities and must have received less than $5,000 in grants for the garden program in 2026. Organizations that received any listed KidsGardening grant in 2025 or 2026 are not eligible.
Deadline and Required Materials
Applications are due Friday, October 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Required attachments include current photos of the garden site and tax-exempt verification in the form of a letter on school district letterhead signed by a district official confirming the school is under the district’s jurisdiction. Optional materials include a garden sketch, site survey or scale map, video, and letter of support.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 58/100. This is a current, clearly defined school grant with nationwide eligibility and a straightforward application structure, but the award size is modest and the program is narrowly focused on youth gardening and water stewardship.
N9+ Fit: 0/100. The program funds school-garden and irrigation needs. The controlling source does not establish connected clinical examination, telehealth, healthcare equipment, or other N9+ procurement as an allowable program purpose. Dr. Miltie direct-applicant/direct-vendor fit: 0/100. No Dr. Miltie pursuit or applicant outreach is warranted.